In that same judgment the two High Court judges said there was no place in British law for Christian beliefs, despite this country’s long history of religious observance and the traditions of the established Church.

Lord Justice Munby and Mr Justice Beatson backed Derby city council by ruling that homosexual rights “should take precedence” over the rights of Christians in fostering cases.

The Derby couple, aged 62 and 65 respectively, said they were “shocked and disappointed” by the judgment.